Sep 8, 2024; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Stephon Gilmore (2) during the second half after the game at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-Imagn Images.
The following questions are about current Minnesota Vikings topics, answered by VikingsTerritory. Today is the December 2nd edition, addressed in a from-the-hip fashion. If you have questions, please email them to DustinBakerNFL@gmail.com.
Also, please note: These are opinion-based responses. Some answers will be incorrect from time to time. But we’ll try to keep that to a minimum.
Answer: Gilmore’s injury is not season-threatening, but his immediate status for Week 14 is up in the air.
Hamstring injuries tend to loiter, but according to head coach Kevin O’Connell, via ESPN’s Kevin Seifert, Gilmore appears to have dodged a major bullet. The veteran defensive back could miss a game(s), but he doesn’t sound like an automatic IR trip like Mekhi Blackmon, J.J. McCarthy, Christian Darrisaw, Will Reichard, and Ivan Pace Jr.
Seifert tweeted Sunday, “Kevin O’Connell said he is hoping the Vikings avoided a longer-term hamstring injury for CB Stephon Gilmore by holding him out after he suffered it.”
Star Tribune’s Ben Goessling added, “Kevin O’Connell said Stephon Gilmore was thinking about coming back in, but the Vikings kept him out with his left hamstring injury. He’s hopeful Gilmore won’t be out long. Right knee injury for Pat Jones II, who returned.”
As of right now, it sounds like Gilmore could miss a game or two — max.
Answer: Probably January or February.
Thanks to Pioneer Press’ Charley Walters, more information is available about the specifics of the impending agreement. Long story short — O’Connell will be paid handsomely.
“It’s probably still too early to offer Vikings QB Sam Darnold a contract extension now. The same for coach Kevin O’Connell, although it seems certain he’ll eventually receive a deal that could nearly double his current salary, estimated at $5 million a year. O’Connell, 39, is signed through 2025,” Walters wrote last weekend.
O’Connell ranks third in NFL Coach of the Year odds through 13 weeks with a +400 moneyline, trailing Dan Campbell of the Detroit Lions (+120) and Mike Tomlin of the Pittsburgh Steelers (+400).
Minnesota won’t let O’Connell’s contract become a lingering thing. It’s pretty much a no-brainer. Mark the start of your offseason for his new deal.
Answer: Yes — but with a little extra help.
Here’s the Vikings’ playoff-clinching scenario for Week 14:
That’s it. Minnesota will wrap up a Wildcard playoff seed if those three items occur.
Dustin Baker is a political scientist who graduated from the University of Minnesota in 2007. Subscribe to his daily YouTube Channel, VikesNow. The show features guests, analysis, and opinion on all things related to the purple team, with 4-7 episodes per week. His MIN obsession dates back to 1996. Listed guilty pleasures: Peanut Butter Ice Cream, ‘The Sopranos,’ Basset Hounds, and The Doors (the band). He follows the NBA as closely as the NFL.
All statistics provided by Pro Football Reference / Stathead; all contractual information provided by OverTheCap.com.